Psychology: Nature and Nurture Perspective

Nature and Nurture Perspective

• According to George Herbert Mead, the self is created and developed through social interactions.
• There are three reasons why our sense of self and identity are social products:
  • We don't develop our sense of self in isolation.
  • We rely on others' affirmation and reinforcement to validate our self-image.
  • Our values and priorities are often influenced by our social and historical context.

Self-Awareness

• Carver and Scheier identified two types of self-awareness:
  • Private Self: Our internal standards, thoughts, and feelings.
  • Public Self: Our public image, often geared towards presenting a favorable image to others.
• There are three self-schemas:
  • Actual Self: Who we are at the moment.
  • Ideal Self: Who we aspire to be.
  • Ought Self: Who we believe we should be.
• Self-awareness can be positive or negative, depending on the situation and our response. It can protect us from harm, but excessive self-consciousness can lead to anxiety and self-doubt.

Social Comparison

• Our social relationships influence our self-esteem through social comparison.
• Downward Social Comparison: Comparing ourselves to those who are less well-off, leading to a positive self-concept.
• Upward Social Comparison: Comparing ourselves to those who are better off, leading to various reactions:
  • Distancing ourselves from the individual or redefining the relationship.
  • Reconsidering the importance of the skill or aspect in which we were outperformed.
  • Motivating us to improve.
• Narcissism can develop in attempts to maintain or increase self-esteem.

The Self as a Cognitive Construction

• Psychology focuses on the individual's brain, mind, and behavior, different from sociology and anthropology which study society and cultures.
• William James, an early psychologist, defined the self as having two aspects:
  • "I": The thinking, acting, and feeling self.
  • "Me": Physical characteristics and psychological capabilities that make up our identity.

Carl Rogers' Theory

• Carl Rogers also used the terms "I" and "Me":
  • "I": The individual who acts and makes decisions.
  • "Me": What we think and feel about ourselves as an object.
• "I": Represents the individual's subjective sense of self, including values, beliefs, and experiences.
• "Me": Represents the individual's self-perception, shaped by their experiences and interactions.

Self-Identity & Self-Concept

• Self-Identity: Personal characteristics, social roles, responsibilities, and affiliations that define who we are.
• Self-Concept: Our basic understanding of who we are when asked.
• Both self-identity and self-concept are not fixed and are constantly evolving.

Sigmund Freud's Theory

• Sigmund Freud viewed the self, mental processes, and behavior as a result of the interaction between the Id, Ego, and Superego:
  • Id: The impulsive part of personality driven by pleasure and avoidance of pain (instinct).
  • Ego: The conscious part of personality that mediates between the Id and Superego (reality).
  • Superego: The moral, judgmental part of personality.

Explore the concepts of self-awareness and identity in this quiz. Learn how social interactions shape our sense of self, and delve into the distinctions between private and public self-awareness. You'll also examine the different types of self-schemas and their implications on our personal growth.